malignancy

/məˈlɪgnənsi/

Other forms: malignancies

Definitions of malignancy

1. noun

   (medicine) a malignant state; progressive and resistant to treatment and tending to cause death
   synonyms: malignance

   types:

   malignant neoplasm, malignant tumor, metastatic tumor

   a tumor that is malignant and tends to spread to other parts of the body

   carcinosarcoma

   a malignant neoplasm composed of carcinoma and sarcoma extensively intermixed

   cancer, malignant neoplastic disease

   any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream

   angiosarcoma

   a rare malignant neoplasm arising from vascular tissue; usually occurs in the breast and skin and is believed to originate from the endothelial cells of blood vessels

   myeloma

   a tumor of the bone marrow (usually malignant) composed of cells normally found in bone marrow

   neuroblastoma

   malignant tumor containing embryonic nerve cells; usually metastasizes quickly

   neuroepithelioma

   malignant tumor of the neuroepithelium

   retinoblastoma

   malignant ocular tumor of retinal cells; usually occurs before the third year of life; composed of primitive small round retinal cells

   type of:

   disease

   an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
2. noun

   quality of being disposed to evil; intense ill will
   synonyms: malignance, malignity

   antonyms:

   benignancy

   the quality of being kind and gentle

   type of:

   evil, evilness

   the quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice